Smile, you’re in Thailand. That’s not a suggestion here, it’s practically a requirement. Thai people begin every interaction with a smile: Go into a store, smile; pass someone on the street, smile; order a fried curry with squid and a Singha beer, smile. All this smiling becomes contagious. The friendly people, inexpensive massages, delicious food and tropical weather don’t hurt either.

I was lucky enough to spend this past New Year’s Eve in Koh Samui, a tropical island in the Gulf of Thailand. I had just gotten married in Bangkok (my wife’s father lives there), and after the reception the wedding party (all 14 of us) flew to Samui to celebrate New Year’s, relax on the beach and of course play golf.

“Men only organize two things: how they’re getting beer and where they’re playing golf,” my wife said when I told her about my morning tee time at Santiburi Samui Golf Club. Our foursome (me, my father, my brother and my brother-in-law) took a 30-minute cab ride (about $15 U.S.) from our resort to the course. The course is less than 10 years old and the clubhouse has decent rental sets and all the tees, gloves and balls you forgot to pack, plus an outdoor restaurant overlooking the coconut jungles and white-sand beaches of Samui for your lunch or post-round drinks.

The course is carved into the island mountain and the elevation changes make it virtually unwalkable. Instead each player has a cart and a caddie. The caddie experience is what makes golf in Thailand so remarkable. In Asia, the caddies are almost all women, as is often reported with an unseemly wink. It’s not like that at all. First, the caddies are completely covered to protect themselves from the sun, which make them look about as provocative as Scarlett Johansson in a beekeeper’s suit. (OK, bad example.) Second, the caddies are all about the golf: they give yardages, select clubs and read putts like any chain-smoking Scotsman, they’re just a lot sweeter. And just like at those Scottish courses, your caddies get into your round. If you’re playing well, you’ll hear a lot of “good shot” and soft applause. My father was the biggest hit with the caddies at Santiburi, who took to calling him “Papa” and cheered loudly when his tee shots split the fairway.

The Santiburi Samui course is a challenging resort track: generous fairways and large greens, but enough doglegs, tricky greens, ravines and bunkers to make you think. The views are the real treat though. The downhill par-3 sixth plays into a natural waterfall, and on the par-4 16th you play toward the ocean and nearby Koh Phangan island, site of Samui’s legendary full-moon parties.

And the best part is that once your round is over, you’re still in Samui. After we finished our round and settled our bets over a beer, we headed back to Chaweng Beach, which hosted a New Year’s Eve celebration the likes of which I’ve never seen before. Take a look.

Santiburi Samui Golf Club
Koh Samui, Thailand
6,930 yards, par 72
Fees: Green Fee 3600 baht ($110); Caddie fee 250 baht ($8); Caddie tip: about 300 baht ($9); Cart: 600 baht ($18); Clubs: 1000 baht ($30)

Source: blogs.golf.com

Pay for two, stay for three. Pay for three, stay for four. As they say, you only need just a moment at Miskawaan to illuminate your brilliance, and the beachfront villa resort in Thailand is inviting guests to maximize their stay. Available until November, this special offer reflects Miskawaan’s dedication to providing optimal service and high quality accommodations for all exclusive luxury vacations.

Miskawaan offers exclusivity and privacy on Maenam Beach in Koh Samui, Thailand’s third largest island full of coconut trees, ribbons of sugary beaches and lush tropical gardens. Each of Miskawaan’s eight private villas include a private pool, courtyard and lavish furnishings fit for a king.

Starting with the private villas, guests can select from a three to five bedroom private villa decorated with an Asian island motif reflecting the lavish surrounding environment. Each private villa includes a private staff to organize activities and services like a private chef or personal driver.

The elegant villas are perfect for families, friends and romantic getaways. The living spaces are open and airy, with panoramic sea views and full amenities. The bedroom quarters are located in a separate pavilion and complete with en-suite marble facilities and open-air showers. Outside, each property has its own private swimming pool overlooking the beach and is surrounded by landscaped gardens, lawns, walkways and shaded terraces.

Source: blog.paradizo.com

First W Retreat in Southeast Asia to Feature 75 Villas, Brings New Dimension of Modern Design and Contemporary Lifestyle to Thailand.

W Hotels Worldwide has announced the spring 2010 opening of W Retreat Koh Samui, the first W Retreat in Southeast Asia. An all-villa beachfront resort set on the north shore of Thailand’s Samui Island, W Koh Samui will bring cutting-edge design, contemporary lifestyle, and exhilarating experiences to Thailand.

Adjacent to W Retreat Koh Samui will be The Residences at W Retreat Koh Samui, featuring 17 secluded beachfront villas and full access to W Koh Samui benefits, services and amenities.

“W Retreat Koh Samui will redefine the way we live and play, delivering a fully integrated contemporary lifestyle experience with the signature W twist,” commented Coetzer Deysel, general manager of W Retreat Koh Samui. “We are delighted to bring our world of ‘Wow’ to Koh Samui, one of the coolest islands in Southeast Asia.”
A modern paradise of vibrant foliage, unspoiled golden sand and warm island breezes, W Retreat Koh Samui will offer panoramic sunrise and sunset views of the Gulf of Thailand from its beachfront location. The Retreat will feature 75 private villas with modern lifestyle innovations, including a private pool, daybeds, outdoor shower, 47-inch plasma screen TV, wine refrigerator, and signature W bed.

W Retreat Koh Samui’s signature services and amenities will bring a new level of extravagance to a renowned Thai island. Exclusive experiences will include W’s signature Whatever/Whenever(R) concierge service, providing guests and residents with whatever they want — from Champagne brunch on a deserted beach to an impromptu island-hopping excursion — whenever they want it.

aWay Spa, the signature spa at W Retreat Koh Samui, will offer guests a wellness escape with signature treatments incorporating local Thai influences, like ingredients, massage techniques or design details, in a cool, playful way. aWay Spa will be a masterpiece of modern design with spa villas, TONIC juice bar and the first “Thaimazcal” treatment facility, based on Mexican tribal rituals, using local Thai ingredients.

For reservations and more information, please visit http://www.whotels.com/kohsamui/

Source: blog.paradizo.com